Maserati Takes The Fight To The Germans In Geneva With The Levante SUV

SUVs have become all the rage lately, but that doesn’t mean automakers are making ones that look good. While we’ve already seen the Levante, the automaker has finally revealed what’s lying underneath the SUV’s pretty hood and it looks like the Italian family hauler may have what it takes to take on the Germans.

Maserati will offer the Levante with three different engine options, which will all be turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 motors. However, the engines vary widely in output and there’s even a diesel option.

The base engine is, of course, a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that puts out 350 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. It does 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds, if you care about that sort of thing. The Levante S puts out a more impressive 430 hp and 427 lb-ft of torque and makes the sprint to 100 km/h happen in just 5.2 seconds. Those looking for that extra punch of torque can opt for the diesel version that produces 275 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Not that it matters, but the diesel engine propels the Levante to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. All three engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential and all-wheel drive.

The Maserati Levante sounds like it has what it takes to compete in the crowded luxury SUV field. The automaker, and parent company FCA, have to be expecting big things from the new SUV in terms of sales. Pricing is expected to come in around $72,000 for US customers.